Gwynedd LAG minutes - LEADER.

1.2.2018

Coed Y Brenin, Dolgellau

Present:

Representation from the Enterprise Sector:

Dafydd Watts (DW) Severn Wye Energy

Anwen Jones (AP)

Gwennan Williams (GW) Bwyty Lleu

Alun Wyn Evans (AWE) Chair of LAG - NFU/FUW

Representation from the Voluntary Sector

Craig ab Iago (CI) Dyffryn Nantlle 2020

Arwel Jones (AJ) Partneriaeth Llyn

David Ingham (DI) DIY Industries Cyf

Representation from the Public Sector

O G Thomas (OG) One Voice Wales

Helen Pye (HP) Snowdonia National Park

Dr Einir Young (EY) Bangor University

Dylan Griffiths Gwynedd Council

Representation from Menter Môn

Dafydd Gruffydd (DG)

Llywelyn Rhys (LlRh)

Eleth Peate (EP)

Aaron Warren (AW)

Rhian Hughes (RH)

Rachel Roberts (RR)

Katie Hughes-Ellis (KHE)

Point Details Action

LAG meeting

1. Alun Evans welcomed everyone to the meeting

2. Apologies were received from 8 members via RR.

Aled Jones-Griffith – Grŵp Llandrillo Menai

Delyth Vaughan Rowlands – Mantell Gwynedd

Bob Lowe – Plas Heli Cyf

Menna Jones – Antur Waunfawr

Sian Elen Tomos – GISDA

Ceri Cunnington – GISDA

Ioan Thomas – Gwynedd Council

3. Declaration of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

4. Minutes of meeting on 4/10/2017

The minutes were accepted as correct. There were no matters

arising.

5. Financial report

RR explained that AGW in the past had presented the figures quarterly

but today it is presenting figures up to the end of the scheme over the

next three years (end of 2021). There is a sum of £2.5 million to be spent

in Gwynedd with expenditure of £609,000 implemented, which means

that we are underspending at present. The day's applications come to

£422,505 with match funding of £100,600 (this amount is included in

previous projects). RR went on to explain that there is therefore a need to

spend £500,000 annually over the next three years, and £125,000

quarterly. RR explained that although we have earmarked large amounts

of money, it needs to be spent as well as implementing the projects. It is

also possible for some projects to underspend, and so the money will

return to the pot.

There were 12 applications requiring approval of £422,505 with an AGW

contribution of £288,760. Four of the projects are collaborative projects,

with £33,000 coming from other counties.

Extra 5k for the research pot for the 5 themes.

In the past members have approved an additional £5000 for a research

pot for the 5 themes. RR asked for the same amount again. This money

goes to an expert to look thoroughly at an application before it is

presented as a full application.

Members agreed that this should continue.

HP asked if there were themes where we are struggling to spend. RR

confirmed that there was more money left in Theme 2 (Facilitating pre-

commercial development, business partnerships and short supply chains).

DG said that the Government allows our LAG members to prioritise the

themes.

Update – current projects:

Time to Venture

RH gave an update on the Time to Venture project. Five

applications were received initially, with 3 being successful.

Support was received from Ian Nellist, David Ingham, Sian Tomos

and Arwel Jones to examine the applications.

The first is Eryl Price Williams who works for Gwynedd Council as

an Administrative Assistant.

o Eryl has been interested in crafts and 'upcycling' for some

years and she has turned this into a business by providing

workshops and activities for children and people of all

ages.

o Eryl felt that workshops of this kind could help to give a

positive focus for those who have a problem with mental

health. Youth clubs and elderly day centres are closing

down, so there is a large gap for learning new skills.

Raymond Jones –

o Raymond has worked for Gwynedd Council for 25 years as

a manager on corporate projects. He wants to start a

mobile Pizza business. The Pizza industry is worth over £2

billion in Britain and increases annually. People of all ages

enjoy pizza and the market is wide and established.

o Raymond wants to invest in equipment - a mobile wood-

fired oven located in a gazebo.

o He has investigated the field and has discussed the matter

further with caravan owners. Many of them have

declared an interest to locate his stand on specific days in

the Summer. He will also offer the service in local

markets, and at parties and weddings.

Jacqui Parry

o Jacqui is a teaching assistant at Ysgol Glan y Môr Pwllheli

and her idea is preparing luxurious desserts in jam pots.

She also made enquiries locally to sell at Pwllheli shops

and has also received customer orders.

Lois Jones

o Prior to the closing date for the applications in November,

Tesni Jones visited the office on behalf of her sixteen-

year-old daughter Lois who attends Ysgol y Moelwyn.

Lois’s business idea is sheep trekking. Lois lives on a hill

sheep farm with her family at Trawsfynydd. Also, in her

spare time she shows a special breed of sheep from the

Netherlands and has been very successful in shows.

o Lois saw an item on the 'Coast & Country' programme,

there is also a farm in the Brecon Beacons that is very

successful with the initiative. Lois and her mother thought

there was a gap in the market to offer this to visitors in

Snowdonia. Something different, and extra income for

the farm.

o Lois will only receive business mentoring support whereas

the other three will receive mentoring and payment for

losing a paid day.

The mentoring will be provided by Caryl Lewis of Celyn. The scheme runs

for 6 months till the end of July.

Cysawd Eryri

RR gave an update on this scheme. The artist has been appointed as well

as locations confirmed. The first 4 planets are in the Blaenau area and all

other planets have been spread across the National Park. The artist will

work very closely with the local schools to create the planets. It is hoped

that the workshops will be in place by mid-February with the work

finished by the end of March/April. Further developments will be

announced at the next meeting in April.

Snowdonia Giving

RH gave an update on Snowdonia Giving.

The pilot has now been ongoing for 18 months and almost 60

businesses from all backgrounds have joined up. In the first

round, over £3000 was collected and this went to a scheme for 48

young people to receive a qualification in Practical Conservation

through the Snowdonia Society.

For the second round it was decided to have a target of £10,000,

to be increased in a year, and to date £10,400 has been collected.

This time, the sum will be spent on the Cwellyn path which at the

present time has £40,000 worth of work to be carried out on it

after damage some months ago.

The National Park will contribute £1 for £1 towards the sum,

which means that funding is available to contribute towards half

the cost.

RH reported that there was an event taking place on the following

Monday Night at the Victoria Hotel in Llanberis at 6.30pm. This

will be a public event where we will celebrate the success so far

but also discuss the future.

Caryl Lewis of CELyn company is assisting with preparing a

closing/ final report for the scheme and feedback from the event

will feed into this report.

Applications for Approval

AGW.065 Egni Bro

Declaration of interest - Dafydd Watts declared an interest for this

application.

LlRh presented the application and explained that it would be a pilot to

create a community energy strategy in Bro Ffestiniog. LlRh explained that

the strategy will identify opportunities for individual community energy

enterprises in the area to work together to achieve the following 5

objectives:

o Contribute to making the area zero carbon

o Reduce fuel poverty

o Create and secure jobs locally

o Strengthen the local economy

o Improve the financial viability of community energy schemes

LlRh explained that this is an application for two assessments which are

part of the strategy.

1. An assessment of the potential of renewable energy generation in

Bro Ffestiniog.

2. An assessment of the electricity transmission network in Bro

Ffestiniog.

Members were very supportive of the scheme. EY suggested that it would

be useful to contact Dr Gwen Hughes of Bangor University, who has a PhD

in Welsh Community Energy, to become part of the steering group. EY

also noted that it would be useful to contact Ynni Ogwen and Ynni Peris to

learn about their experience.

LAG members approved expenditure of £15,700. (With match funding of

£3,600 from Cwmni Cymunedol Bro Ffestiniog. Therefore, the total cost

of the project is £19,300)

Contact Dr Gwen

Hughes from

Bangor

University.

AGW. 071 Making Places Schemes

KHE explained that this was a collaborative application with Gwynedd

Council.

KHE explained that this was a pilot to create a better understanding and

interpretation of the slate industry within selected communities, as well

as creating a narrative to tell the history of the slate industry in North

Wales.

KHE explained that the project will feature 6 key stages in 3 areas, namely

Llanberis, Tywyn Bethesda or Blaenau Ffestiniog:

1. Town Inspections:

2. 'Mystery Visitor'

3. Place-Based Scheme

4. Undertaking priority actions of the Place-Based Scheme:

5. Promotion and evaluation

6. Income generation feasibility study (1 area)

EY suggested that details for the signs of the slate routes should be clear

and easy to follow to stop people from getting lost.

HP said that ‘Visit England’ had excellent guidance on how to run slate

workshops.

LAG members approved expenditure of £50,000. (With match funding

of £30,000 from Gwynedd Council. Total cost of the project is £80,000)

Contact Visit

England for the

guidance.

AGW.073 Drone School

KHE explained the application and explained that the scheme had been

developed jointly with Gwynedd Council. KHE explained that this will be a

pilot project to create a Drones School at Llanbedr airport, for 14-19-year

olds. The young people will learn how to use drones safely in a controlled

environment from April to summer 2018. DG explained that this was

important for GC to develop STEM skills for young people.

HP noted that it was important that the training highlighted that

Snowdonia National Park had specific guidelines on the use of drones

within the Park boundaries. GLl suggested that it would be great to

encourage entrepreneurs in the sector. OG noted that farmers have an

interest in using drones technology. Members were very supportive and

everyone approved the application.

Ensure that the

training includes

the air

navigation

guidelines within

the Snowdonia

National Park.

Connect with Off

the Ground TV, a

company from

Llanberis that

uses drones for

photography.

LAG members approved expenditure of £20,000. (With match funding of

£20,000 from Gwynedd Council. Therefore, the total cost of the project

is £40,000)

AGW.072 Pop-Up Museum

KHE explained that this was an application following a conversation with

AONB staff to discuss the potential of synergy between the two schemes.

The AONB noted the concept of a Pop-up Museum as a potential project

within the AONB strategy, and it underpinned Arloesi’s Theme 1. KHE

explained that this project looks at running a number of temporary

museums with different themes on the Llŷn Peninsula. The project will be

in partnership with existing museums such as the museum in Nefyn, as

well as the Ecomuseum.

KHE noted that Arloesi will apply to the AONB for £10,000 on the 5th of

February 2018, and then the panel will sit on the 20th February 2018. AJ

explained that he was aware that a number of applications had been

received by AONB and he would suggest reducing the AONB application

somewhat as there is not much money in the fund, to ensure it is

approved. Members therefore agreed to approve up to £15,000 if it is

necessary to reduce the AONB application.

LAG members approved the expenditure up to £15,000. (With match

funding of £5,000 from AONB. Therefore, the total cost of the project is

£20,000)

Bro Cast

RR presented the Bro Cast application. Application from Cwmni Bro

Ffestiniog (group of Social Enterprises who have come together) with the

vision of promoting the area. They want to pilot a digital broadcasting

system with a series of events, an internet channel, radio and social

media. The cost of the application is £22,500, with a contribution of

£16,500 from AGW and £6000 from Cwmni Bro. It is a year-long pilot with

the aim of it being standalone after this time. RR said that Cwmni Bro had

visited Radio Beca in Ceredigion which is doing something similar. DG

noted that a comment made in the Technical Group that Bro Cast will

have to be careful with the output that is broadcast, boundaries will have

to be set. RR confirmed that it will be a bilingual project so that everyone

in the community can be part of it.

LAG members approved expenditure of £22,500 (with match funding of

£6000 from Cwmni Bro Ffestiniog).

Digital House

This application was received from Antur Waunfawr where there is a

holiday home that wishes to pilot digital technology for people with

different needs, e.g. learning and physical disabilities. Originally, the sub-

group noted that more work was needed to look into what type of

technology it needs. Consultants then advised on the technology that is

suitable for the project. The application is to buy the items, with a

contribution of £14,000 from AGW and £6000 from Antur Waunfawr.

* The application was approved by the members. *

VR Dementia Go

Application was received from Gwynedd Council. The aim of the project is

to create Welsh VR technology. Many of those living with Dementia in the

Gwyrfai area have Welsh as a first language. Training will be available for

carers to show what it is like to live with the condition. They have

received a grant of £20,000 from the Government (Cymraeg 2050). The

AGW contribution will be £17,080. Gwynedd Council will implement the

project and full support has been received from the Alzheimer's Society.

* The application was approved by the members. *

Local Produce Markets

DG explained that there was 20% funding towards collaborative plans

between the counties (Anglesey and Conwy).

Jane Davies from Arloesi Môn came to present two applications, the first

being Local Produce Markets. The aim of this project is to increase the

number of people attending markets. There will be an open call to see

which markets in Anglesey and Gwynedd are interested in being part of

the scheme. The Holyhead market, Llangefni market, Anglesey Farmers’

Market and Porthmadog market have already declared an interest, but

Gwynedd needs more. The intention is to bring the markets together,

discuss their experiences and see what their needs are.

The scheme will receive expert advice from 'NABMA' (National

Association of British Markets Authority); workshops and a marketing

campaign will be organised over the next 12 months.

The cost of the project is £18,300. AGW’s contribution is £9150 and

Arloesi Môn’s is £9150.

* The application was approved by the members. *

Best of North Wales

The aim of the scheme is to promote local produce in the three Counties

in North Wales. JD noted that although the 'foodslam' events were very

successful, there has been a reduction in quality producers and the way

they are administered and marketed, especially over the last year. The

intention is for producers to work better together to improve economic

impact. The model will include a unique code of conduct and there will be

sub-groups in each county. The application also includes an administrative

position across the three counties.

It is a challenging scheme because the LAGs in the other counties have

different structures and a different focus. However, the application has

been agreed in Anglesey and Conwy. JD said the model should be a strong

one after the end of the pilot, and sustainable for the future.

The cost of the project is £30,555 with each county contributing £10,185.

* The application was approved by the members. *

Local Produce Vending

An application was received from the North Wales Dairy Sheep Group.

The aim of the project is to buy a vending machine and fill it with local

produce to help reduce the barrier between the buyer and the producer.

The machine will be located in different locations across Gwynedd.

The application was discussed in detail in the sub-group where some

concerns were raised e.g.

Who would be responsible for supplying the machine?

Who would be responsible for keeping it clean?

Who would collect the money?

Two locations have been shown an interest in having the machine over

the pilot phase, namely Portmeirion and Plas Heli. Research has been

carried out by Geraint Hughes and Sian Davies who have contacted local

producers and 17 have shown an interest in taking part. The application

includes buying the machine and paying for a co-ordinator for 6 months.

The coordinator will receive a text identifying which locker is empty and

then he/she will notify the producer to fill it themselves.

There was concern with State Aid for the project, so all products will have

a 20% supplement and the additional income will go back to the project

to help pay for the coordinator for the subsequent 6 months. The

machine will be at Plas Heli from April to June while the Sailing Festival is

on, and at Portmeirion from July to September.

AJ proposed that it would be a good idea to charge all producers a deposit

(amount to be discussed) and that they get this back at the end of the

pilot.

The cost of the project is £20,000, with £9000 earmarked for the machine.

* The application was approved by the members. *

Creative Communities Fund

DG presented this application. AGW receives frequent enquiries from

communities about activities, studies and purchases of equipment etc.

Enquiries also come through Regeneration Officers. As AGW underspends,

and needs others to deliver projects on our behalf, we are proposing to

create a fund of £100,000 with £10,000 at most being allocated to each

project. All applications received would have to be consistent with

LEADER's innovative principles and ethos, and all applications will be

discussed by a sub-group. Groups will be required to attend an Arloesi

pre-application workshop. These will encourage delegates to define the

problem they are trying to solve and ask how best to respond. These

workshops will be open to everyone and aim to create a pool of

community pioneers across Gwynedd. Satori LAB ran similar workshops

for LAG members in 2016.

Lyndsey said there were pressures on communities and community

councils to take on services that are being discharged by the Council. One

example is public toilets where many were recently offered to

communities, or they would be closed. Lyndsey said that a model would

be useful to see what would be best for the community to generate

income. e.g. choose 3 public toilets, one in a rural area, one in an urban

area and another one in an area that is popular with tourists, and pilot

different forms of fundraising either via a technical system through a

telephone app, or a payment machine by the door.

The cost of the project is £110,000 towards the fund, £100,000 for the

fund and £10,000 for the workshops.

* The application was approved by the members. *

Carneddau Circular Route

This is an application that has been through the National Park and is a

co-operative one with Conwy, who will be leading the project. KHE

explained that it is a feasibility study for routes/paths around the

Carneddau, how to connect with local communities with the walking

routes. The aim of the application is to develop an audience, promote

the area and review the network. One condition is that there will have

to be 3 prices for the work before moving forward. * EY suggested that

the person carrying out the work should walk the paths in order to

understand the area, for the benefit of the study *.

The cost of the application is £10,000.

* The application was approved by the members. *

Next Date Date of meeting is 25th April at Porthmadog Football Club at 1.00pm